Lapel pin golf ball marker

ABSTRACT

A lapel pin golf ball marker comprises a base member having a front face, and a rear face, and comprising a magnetic material. Alternatively, a marker-receiving magnet having a substantially flat front face is securely mounted at the front face of the base member so as to present the front face of the marker-receiving magnet forwardly. A golf ball marker has a magnet-engaging rear surface and a front surface. The golf ball marker is retained in removable relation on the base member, so as to be laterally slidable off the base member, for ease of removal. A butterfly type clip securely engages a pin member projecting outwardly from the base member to thereby attach the base member to a lapel.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to lapel pins, and more particularly to lapel pins that have a removable and replaceable portion that can be used as a golf ball marker.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When playing the game of golf, it is common to have more than one golf ball on the golf green concurrently. Often, one or more golf balls on the golf green are in the way of a golfer trying to put another golf ball into the hole. Accordingly, it is common to use a golf ball marker to identify the location of a golf ball after the golf ball has been temporarily removed.

Such golf ball markers typically comprise a flat piece of metal or plastic that is either coloured or marked in some manner to permit identification of that golf ball marker from other golf ball markers that are being used at the same time. Golf ball markers are often carried in a golfer's pocket, or in a pouch on a golfer's golf bag. In either case, it may be somewhat difficult to readily locate a golf ball marker when it is needed. Additionally, if the golfer is wearing golf gloves, it may be also be difficult to grasp the golf ball marker from out of the pocket, or in a pouch or the like on a golfer's golf bag.

In order to keep a golf ball marker more closely at hand, it is known to integrate a metal golf ball marker into a lapel pin, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,004,229 issued Dec. 21, 1999 to Fazekas and entitled Multi-Purpose Golf Tool and Method. In this patent, there is disclosed at FIG. 18, a lapel pin having a golf ball marker magnetically attached thereto. A carrier element in the form of a round disc has a pin protruding rearwardly from the back of the carrier element. The pin is received in clamping relation by a conventional butterfly clip. On the front face of the carrier element is a magnetic post that centrally positioned within a recess and extending upwardly therefrom. A golf ball marker containing at least some ferrous metal is attracted by the magnetic post so as to remain securely within the recess unless purposely removed in a specified manner. The golf ball marker is carried around by the carrier element while the carrier element is in place on the lapel of a shirt or jacket, so as to be readily accessible.

In order to remove the golf ball marker for use, the front of the golf ball marker is pressed down adjacent its peripheral edge so as to lever it with respect to the magnetic post. The portion of the golf ball marker opposite the part that is pressed down is accordingly moves outwardly so as to be presented out of the recess for grasping by an individual's fingers.

While this lapel pin that has a golf ball marker recess therein provides somewhat convenient access for the golf ball marker, it has a significant drawback. It is difficult to remove the golf ball marker from the recess of the carrier element, as the carrier element must be supported at its backside in order to balance pressing on the golf ball marker in the recess. Accordingly, it is difficult to then remove the golf ball marker from the recess using only one hand. Further, the golf ball marker can easily be fumbled and dropped, while removing it from the recess, which is highly undesirable.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a lapel pin golf ball marker.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a lapel pin golf ball marker that is easy to use.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a lapel pin golf ball marker, wherein the golf ball marker can be readily removed using one hand.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is disclosed a novel lapel pin golf ball marker for wearing on a lapel of a garment and for using to mark the position of a golf ball. The lapel pin golf ball marker comprises a base member having a front face, and a rear face. There is means to attach the base member to a lapel. A marker-receiving magnet having a substantially flat front face is securely mounted at the front face of the base member so as to present the front face of the marker-receiving magnet forwardly. A golf ball marker has a magnet-engaging rear surface and a front surface. The golf ball marker is retained in removable relation on the marker-receiving magnet, so as to be laterally slidable off the marker-receiving magnet, for ease of removal.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is disclosed a novel lapel pin golf ball marker for wearing on a lapel of a garment and for using to mark the position of a golf ball. The lapel pin golf ball marker comprises a base member having a substantially flat front face, and a rear face. There is means to attach the base member to a lapel. A magnetic golf ball marker is retained in removable relation on the substantially flat front face of the base member, so as to be laterally slidable off the substantially flat front face of the base member, for ease of removal.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention there is disclosed a novel lapel pin golf ball marker for wearing on a lapel of a garment and for using to mark the position of a golf ball. The lapel pin golf ball marker comprises a magnetic base member having a substantially flat front face, and a rear face. The base member comprises a magnetic material. There is means to attach the base member to a lapel. A golf ball marker has a magnet-engaging rear surface and a front surface. The golf ball marker is retained in removable relation on the base member, so as to be laterally slidable off the marker-receiving magnet, for ease of removal.

Other advantages, features and characteristics of the present invention, as well as methods of operation and functions of the related elements of the structure, and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, the latter of which is briefly described herein below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the lapel pin golf ball marker according to the present invention, as to its structure, organization, use and method of operation, together with further objectives and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following drawings in which a presently preferred embodiment of the invention will now be illustrated by way of example. It is expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only, and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the first preferred embodiment of the lapel pin golf ball marker according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the first preferred embodiment lapel pin golf ball marker of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the first preferred embodiment lapel pin golf ball marker of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the first preferred embodiment lapel pin golf ball marker of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the first preferred embodiment lapel pin golf ball marker of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an exploded side elevational view of the first preferred embodiment lapel pin golf ball marker of FIG. 1, with the base member removed from the butterfly clip;

FIG. 7 is a sectional side elevational view of the first preferred embodiment lapel pin golf ball marker of FIG. 1, taken along section line 7-7 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 5, with the golf ball marker in place on a lapel and being removed from the base member;

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the second preferred embodiment lapel pin golf ball marker according to the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 9, with the golf ball marker in place on a lapel and being removed from the base member;

FIG. 11 is a sectional side elevational view of the third preferred embodiment of the lapel pin golf ball marker according to the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a sectional side elevational view of the fourth preferred embodiment of the lapel pin golf ball marker according to the present invention; and,

FIG. 13 is a sectional side elevational view of the fifth preferred embodiment of the lapel pin golf ball marker according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 13 of the drawings, it will be noted that FIGS. 1 through 8 illustrate a first preferred embodiment of the lapel pin golf ball marker of the present invention, FIGS. 9 through 10 illustrate a second preferred embodiment of the lapel pin golf ball marker of the present invention, FIG. 11 illustrates a third preferred embodiment of the lapel pin golf ball marker of the present invention, FIG. 12 illustrates a fourth preferred embodiment of the lapel pin golf ball marker of the present invention, and FIG. 13 illustrates a fifth preferred embodiment of the lapel pin golf ball marker of the present invention.

Reference will now be made to FIGS. 1 through 8, which show a first preferred embodiment of the lapel pin golf ball marker of the present invention, as indicated by general reference numeral 20. The first preferred embodiment lapel pin golf ball marker 20 is for wearing on a lapel 22 of a garment, such as a shirt, jacket, coat, vest, and so on, that might be worn during a game of golf. The lapel pin golf ball marker 20 is also for use to mark the position of a golf ball on a golf green, during putting by other players.

The lapel pin golf ball marker 20 comprises a base member 30 having a substantially flat front face 32, a rear face 34, and a circumferential side edge 36. As illustrated, but not necessarily, the base member 30 is substantially circular in shape, but may be of any other suitable shape. The base member 30 comprises a magnetic material, that will, of course, attract ferrous based materials. Preferably, the marker-receiving magnet 50 comprises a rare earth magnet so as to maximize its holding strength. Alternatively, other types of magnets can be used, typically in order to lessen the cost of manufacturing.

There is also means to attach the base member 30 to a lapel 22. In the first preferred as illustrated, the means to attach the base member 30 to the lapel 22 comprises a pin member 40 projecting substantially perpendicularly from the rear face 34 of the base member 30. As can be best seen in FIG. 8, the pin member 40 extends through the material of a lapel, or through a button hole (not shown) in the lapel 22. A butterfly clip 42 having a main body 44, a handle potion 44, and a pair of opposed wing-shaped actuation tabs 46, is positioned on the opposite side of the lapel 22 is used to securely engage the pin member 40, so as to retain the lapel pin golf ball marker 20 in place on the lapel 22. The butterfly clip 42 is releasable from the pin member 40 by means of pressing the pair of opposed wing-shaped actuation tabs 46 together.

A substantially disc-shaped golf ball marker 60 has a magnet-engaging rear surface 62 and a front surface 64, and comprises a ferrous based material, so as to be attracted to the magnetic base member 30. The golf ball marker 60 is thereby retained in removable relation on the marker-receiving magnet 50. Preferably, but not necessarily, the golf ball marker 60 has a larger diameter than the magnetic base member 30, and accordingly projects circumferentially beyond the magnetic base member 30. In this manner, as can be best seen in FIG. 8, the golf ball marker 60 is readily removed from the magnetic base member 30 by simply levering it while grasping it with one hand. Further, the chance of dropping the golf ball marker 60 is minimized.

Reference will now be made to FIGS. 9 and 10, which show a second preferred embodiment of the lapel pin golf ball marker of the present invention, as indicated by general reference numeral 220. The second preferred embodiment lapel pin golf ball marker 220 is similar to the first preferred embodiment lapel pin golf ball marker 20 except that the golf ball marker 260 is smaller in diameter than the base member 230. It should also be noted that there are no obstructions at the front face 232 of the base member 230. Accordingly, as can be seen in FIG. 10, the golf ball marker 260 can readily be removed from the base member 230 by initially sliding it laterally off the base member 230, and then grasping the golf ball marker 260 to fully remove it.

Reference will now be made to FIG. 11, which shows a third preferred embodiment of the lapel pin golf ball marker of the present invention, as indicated by general reference numeral 320. The third preferred embodiment lapel pin golf ball marker 320 is similar to the first preferred embodiment lapel pin golf ball marker 20 except that the base member 330 is not made from magnetic material entirely, but instead has a marker-receiving magnet 350 that has a substantially flat front face 352. The marker-receiving magnet 350 is securely mounted at the front face 332 of the base member 330, preferably within a magnet receiving recess 351 so as to present the front face 352 of the marker-receiving magnet 350 forwardly. The front face 352 of the marker-receiving magnet 350 and the front face 332 of the base member 330 are preferably substantially flush one with the other. Preferably, the marker-receiving magnet 350 comprises a rare earth magnet so as to maximize its holding strength. Alternatively, other types of magnets can be used, typically in order to lessen the cost of manufacturing.

Reference will now be made to FIG. 12, which shows a fourth preferred embodiment of the lapel pin golf ball marker of the present invention, as indicated by general reference numeral 420. The fourth preferred embodiment lapel pin golf ball marker 420 is similar to the first preferred embodiment lapel pin golf ball marker 20 except that the base member 430 in the fourth preferred embodiment is not magnetic. Instead, the fourth preferred embodiment lapel pin golf ball marker 420 has a magnetic golf ball marker 460 retained in removable relation on the substantially flat front face 432 of the base member 430, so as to be laterally slidable off the flat front face 432 of the base member 430, for ease of removal. The golf ball marker 460 is substantially disc-shaped, but may alternatively be any other suitable shape. As illustrated, the base member 430 comprises a ferrous based material and the entire magnetic golf ball marker 460 comprises a magnetic material, and preferably the magnetic golf ball marker 460 comprises a rare earth magnetic material.

Reference will now be made to FIG. 13, which shows a fifth preferred embodiment of the lapel pin golf ball marker of the present invention, as indicated by general reference numeral 520. The fifth preferred embodiment lapel pin golf ball marker 520 is similar to the fourth preferred embodiment lapel pin golf ball marker 420 except that the golf ball marker 560 has a portion 561 that is a magnet material encased within an outer portion 563 that is a non-magnetic material. The outer portion 563 may be a plastic material or a metal material, or any other suitable material. The magnet material portion 561 may be press-fit into the outer portion 563, or if the outer portion 563 is made from a plastic material, the outer portion 563 may be molded around the magnet material portion 561. In any event, the magnet material portion 561 is preferably disposed at the magnet-engaging rear surface 562 of the golf ball marker 560.

As can be understood from the above description and from the accompanying drawings, the present invention provides a lapel pin golf ball marker that is easy to use and wherein the golf ball marker can be readily removed using one hand, all of which features are unknown in the prior art.

Other variations of the above principles will be apparent to those who are knowledgeable in the field of the invention, and such variations are considered to be within the scope of the present invention. Further, other modifications and alterations may be used in the design and manufacture of the lapel pin golf ball marker of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the accompanying claims. 

1. A lapel pin golf ball marker for wearing on a lapel of a garment and for using to mark the position of a golf ball, said lapel pin golf ball marker comprising: a base member having a front face, and a rear face; means to attach said base member to a lapel; a marker-receiving magnet having a substantially flat front face and being securely mounted at said front face of said base member so as to present said front face of said marker-receiving magnet forwardly; a golf ball marker having a magnet-engaging rear surface and a front surface, and wherein said golf ball marker is retained in removable relation on said marker-receiving magnet.
 2. The lapel pin golf ball marker of claim 1, wherein said means to attach said base member to a lapel comprises a pin member projecting substantially perpendicularly from said rear face of said base member, and a butterfly clip to securely yet releasably engage said pin member.
 3. The lapel pin golf ball marker of claim 1, wherein the front face of said marker-receiving magnet and the front face of said base member are substantially flush one with the other.
 4. The lapel pin golf ball marker of claim 1, wherein said golf ball marker has a larger diameter than said magnetic base member.
 5. The lapel pin golf ball marker of claim 1, wherein said golf ball marker is substantially disc-shaped.
 6. The lapel pin golf ball marker of claim 1, wherein there are no obstructions at said front face of said base member adjacent the front face of said marker-receiving magnet.
 7. A lapel pin golf ball marker for wearing on a lapel of a garment and for using to mark the position of a golf ball, said lapel pin golf ball marker comprising: a base member having a substantially flat front face, and a rear face; means to attach said base member to a lapel; a magnetic golf ball marker retained in removable relation on said substantially flat front face of said base member.
 8. The lapel pin golf ball marker of claim 7, wherein said means to attach said base member to a lapel comprises a pin member projecting substantially perpendicularly from said rear face of said base member, and a butterfly clip to securely yet releasably engage said pin member.
 9. The lapel pin golf ball marker of claim 7, wherein said golf ball marker has a larger diameter than said magnetic base member.
 10. The lapel pin golf ball marker of claim 7, wherein said golf ball marker is substantially disc-shaped.
 11. The lapel pin golf ball marker of claim 7, wherein said entire golf ball marker comprises a ferrous based material.
 12. The lapel pin golf ball marker of claim 7, wherein said golf ball marker has a portion that comprises a ferrous based material.
 13. The lapel pin golf ball marker of claim 12, wherein said portion that comprises a ferrous based material is at said magnet-engaging rear surface of said golf ball marker.
 14. The lapel pin golf ball marker of claim 7, wherein there are no obstructions at said front face of said base member adjacent the front face of said marker-receiving magnet.
 15. A lapel pin golf ball marker for wearing on a lapel of a garment and for using to mark the position of a golf ball, said lapel pin golf ball marker comprising: a magnetic base member having a substantially flat front face, and a rear face, and wherein said base member comprises a magnetic material; means to attach said base member to a lapel; a golf ball marker having a magnet-engaging rear surface and a front surface, and wherein said golf ball marker is retained in removable relation on said base member.
 16. The lapel pin golf ball marker of claim 15, wherein said means to attach said base member to a lapel comprises a pin member projecting substantially perpendicularly from said rear face of said base member, and a butterfly clip to securely yet releasably engage said pin member.
 17. The lapel pin golf ball marker of claim 15, wherein said golf ball marker has a larger diameter than said magnetic base member.
 18. The lapel pin golf ball marker of claim 15, wherein said golf ball marker is substantially disc-shaped.
 19. The lapel pin golf ball marker of claim 15, wherein there are no obstructions at said front face of said base member. 